That's the right question to ask, because this is a Terrell type signing. I suspect the contact is set up so that the team takes minimal risk should he be cut in camp.

The flipside is that Washington showed a couple of brilliant flashes in Cincy and could be a valuable piece of this offense if he gets it together.

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The Bengals made no effort whatsoever to resign him though. I know, I know, its the Bengals, but they have obviously been pretty good at finding offensive talent, so I have to figure that is not a good sign.

Let's see Washington was buried behind 2 all-pros in Chad Johnson and Housh then the Bengals have another talented wideout named Henry. Plus he wasn't exactly 100% healthy all the time.

A lot of people liked Washington's talent coming into the draft. If he is healthy now he is poised to have the kind of breakout year that Caldwell had for the Pats last season. His positives are that he is a big and physical wideout. Something that breaks the typical smurfy Pat receiver mold.

FWIR this guy has problems running fastidious routes. If that's still true he'll be next to useless in this offense. Washington seems to be an If... signing: If someone else gets injured, If he can make adjustments, If he can stay healthy...

He's seems to have all the talent in the world, but does he have the skill?

This is a 2001-like signing, not a certainty of anything.
If you step back from it, I would not think I filled a hole if Kelly washington was being relied on to contribute a lot. But, if you are looking for a guy with a high upside for the price, no doubt he fits that bill.

As far as I'm concerned, if you say his production was what is was because of the other WRs on the team, you should probably expect him to get cut, because ANY good healthy WR would have found his way to catching passes on the Bengals the last 2 years. If you chalk it up to injuries (which I believe is more accurate) then you have a guy with potential, who hasn't been able to stay healthy, but if he had probably would have some nice production in Cincy, then its a gamble with a decent chance of paying off.

To me Washingtons signing is Patten-Chas Johnson-Torrance small-Bert Emanuel of 2001. We signed all of them as possibilities (I think washington is closest to Patten since the others were on the declining part of their career).
Some were going to make it some werent. The ones that did were also questionable what they would produce. We lost nothing by bringing in the guys who didnt make it and won a SB with Patten as a major contributor, and Johnson as an unproductive 3rd WR.

Where will Washington fall? Quite frankly, if my understanding of his ability, upside, issues, and downside is correct, he could be anywhere from our leading receiver next year to cut, or anywhere in between. I couldn't guess at the most likely.

Remember, coming out of college, Washington was a potential Superstar #1 WR, and surefire top half of round 1 pick, but he had a potentially career threatening injury that dropped him to the 3rd round. IIRC, when he was drafted there were still questions of whether he would be able to play as a rookie if ever.

I am ALL for bringing in a guy who has that kind of upside, and the downside of being cut at almost no cost. I feel a little more confident in him because apparently other teams were interested, so I dont think its certain that his potential of 4 years ago can never be realized.

Being behind a gangsta thug like Chris Henry on the depth chart is Washington's fault.

If the FO was looking for untapped, underperforming potential, and size, then they should have signed the higher-character Justin Gage.

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I agree. Washington isn't just injury prone, he is supposedly a bad seed as well. I'm sure Belichick and Pioli looked into that, but I still would've preferred that they went a different route. Those of you that think this guy is going to contribute anything to this team will be sorely dissapointed. He won't make it past a pre-season game or two, if that.

FYI he played 4 years in the Marlins Organization before he went with Tenn. @ age 22 there he played 2 years, was a preseason all american. Tremendous upside, big 6'3", 218lbs. plays big and not afraid to go over the middle. This guy might be a real sleeper, if he plays to his potential and does not get hurt.